@Greg *******

It’s essentially the same. You cannot cancel a visa, but you can apply for a different one and then enter the country with that new visa—this is something the embassy should also be aware of. There are plenty of people who come here on a tourist visa and then switch to a work visa, and this is especially common with ED visas.

Because the DTV is technically only a tourist visa, you need to apply for the B visa, then leave the country and re-enter with the B visa. The DTV will automatically expire once you do so.

The DTV is basically a tourist visa. You can become a tax resident, since anyone can get a tax number, but the catch is that your company is based in a country with a 50% tax rate, and your residence has to be there—you had to provide an address when applying for the DTV. So you wouldn’t need to pay taxes in Thailand, because your tax liability there would already fall under that 50%. Also, many countries have double taxation agreements with Thailand.

Anonymer Teilnehmer 718 you are not alowed to work with thais on a DTV

Anonymer Teilnehmer 305 DTV is a tourist visa, and Thais wonder why a tourist would need a bank account—that's the main issue. The law requiring banks to compensate victims of scams might also be a contributing factor.

Anyone who wants to stay in Thailand long-term should truly integrate—and that includes paying taxes. Many people underestimate that having an official tax history can open doors, whether for permanent residency or even Thai citizenship. Of course, there are always two sides to every coin, but if you want to enjoy the benefits of staying permanently, you should also take on some responsibilities.

It’s hard to understand why some foreigners live in Thailand but refuse to pay taxes or even learn the language. Anyone serious about building a real life there will benefit greatly from adopting—not just legally, but culturally as well.

@Sam *****

Thats true that's why I am saying it's not a permit of stay... A visa allows entry into Thailand for a specific purpose, such as tourism, work, or retirement. For example, a tourist can enter Thailand with a 60-day tourist visa or 180-day DTV. On the other hand, the Permit of Stay determines how long someone can remain in the country beyond the initial visa duration. A business traveler with a Non-Immigrant B visa, for instance, can apply for a one-year Permit after entering Thailand to work legally, that's not possible with DTV. The Permit of Stay gives you also more rights like buying cars and many other things....

@Maksym **********

So true—and then you get deported… just because you admit, "Okay, I smoke a spliff sometimes," after they interrogate you for four hours with the same questions over and over.

Anonymer Teilnehmer 265 If you want to live in Thailand, then the DTV visa is the wrong choice. It is only a visa similar to a tourist or business visa but does not include a Permit of Stay.

I think some people don’t realize that the DTV visa is not a "Permit of Stay" but more or less a tourist visa. You have practically no rights, but you do have obligations—for example, paying taxes if you stay longer than 180 days.